KOMO TV Files FCC License for First Northwest HDTV Experimental Station

"The system we propose would be the first in the Northwest to offer high definition television with wide-screen pictures of incredible clarity and crystal-clear surround-sound audio. The difference is as startling as when TV switched from black and white to color," said Dick Warsinske, senior vice president and general manager of KOMO TV.

"This is an important step toward ensuring that KOMO TV and ABC offer viewers the best television service possible, now and in the future," Warsinske said. "We are investing in the development of new technology to enhance the future of universal, free, over-the-air television."

"Our decision reflects our commitment to serving viewers and is consistent with KOMO TV�s history of leadership in the broadcasting industry. KOMO TV was the first in the Northwest to broadcast live in color and to provide television stereo sound," said Patrick Scott, president of Fisher Broadcasting. Fisher also owns KATU Television in Portland and 21 radio stations in Washington, Oregon and Montana.

"In filing for this experimental license late yesterday, Fisher Broadcasting has committed to providing information important to setting the standards of high definition television. Tests conducted by KOMO TV will help answer questions as to how digital television performs in unique conditions found in western Washington, such as the hilly terrain and the reflections from downtown buildings," Scott said.

The FCC has issued several licenses for experimental transmitters in various parts of the country but, to date, no test stations have been built west of the Mississippi. Some stations plan to test multi-channel broadcasting. "Our commitment, however, is to advance a standard for high definition television rather than multi-channel broadcasting," Scott said.

KOMO TV intends to broadcast high-definition television by early 1997. Demonstrations of this "television of the future" will be conducted to give the general public a glimpse of how dramatically high-definition television improves picture quality.

Q: What is being proposed?

A: Fisher Broadcasting has applied for an experimental license to transmit high-definition, digital television (DTV) signals from an antenna on KOMO TV's existing television tower.

Q: Why is an experimental station necessary?

A: Comprehensive knowledge of the characteristics of high-definition digital television will be necessary to wisely invest the huge sums of money and time that will be necessary to make high-definition television a reality.

Q: When will the station go into operation?

A: The goal is to get digital test signals on the air in early 1997.

Q: Aren't there other experimental stations already operating or licensed, including KCTS in Seattle? How does KOMO's proposal differ from KCTS and others?

A: There are presently two operating experimental stations, one in Washington, D.C., and one in Raleigh, North Carolina. In the Northwest, KCTS is planning to transmit low-power digital signals, in large part to test digital television's ability to carry several signals on what is now one channel. In contrast, KOMO TV's station will focus on digital's high-definition capabilities and offer only one signal. Offering multiple signals on the same channel diminishes the high-definition qualities of a digital signal.

Q: When will high-definition television be readily available?

A: That's hard to say, but our best guess is as little as two to three years before high-definition starts to become readily available to the public.